Fearnley’s Rise: from Djokovic at Wimbledon to Challenger dominance

When Jacob Fearnley was competing on Court 9 in his first-round match at Wimbledon, he could see the Centre Court score in the corner of his eye. Why did that score matter to Fearnley?

Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic was beginning his campaign and the Serbian would become Fearnley’s second-round opponent.

“When I was close to winning the match, I kept looking up at the scoreboard and I saw that Djokovic was rolling,” Fearnley told ATPTour.com. “I was like, ‘Okay, I’m definitely going to be playing Novak’.”

Then came a couple of sleepless nights. Fearnley, then ranked World No. 277 in the PIF ATP Rankings, would soon stand across the net from one of the sport’s icons on the sacred Wimbledon grass, at his home Slam.

Fearnley’s phone began to light up with so many messages that the 23-year-old asked his friend Luke Swan to manage his social media.

“My phone was going crazy. I remember I gave my Instagram to Luke because it was too much for me,” Fearnley said. “It was a little bit overwhelming how many messages I was getting. I left my Instagram up to him to reply to some messages. I was really appreciative of everyone who messaged me because I had people message me who I hadn’t talked to in years. It was quite cool to see that side of it.”

Winning a match at Wimbledon and facing Djokovic was an early chapter in the Briton’s monstrous rise since he finished a standout five-year career at Texas Christian University in May. What has happened since has been a whirlwind.

Shortly after helping TCU claim its first NCAA team championship in school history, Fearnley was playing in just his second ATP Challenger Tour tournament in Nottingham. He entered the week without a match win at the Challenger level, but he claimed the grass-court title as a qualifier.

Fearnley received a wild card into the season’s third major and made his dream debut even sweeter by taking the third set off Djokovic, who eventually won 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5.

“When I won the third set, I looked up at my box and I saw my teammates there, my family, and I felt a bit of a buzz in the crowd. That was kind of when it really sunk in that I’d just won a set and that I was playing on Centre Court at Wimbledon,” Fearnley said. “A moment that I’ll remember for the rest of my life for sure.”

Photo Credit: Francois Nel/Getty Images

Since then, Fearnley has won three ATP Challenger Tour titles: Lincoln, Rennes and last week in Orleans, where he secured his place in the Top 100 of the PIF ATP Rankings. The Edinburgh native has won 15 consecutive matches at the Challenger level.

Fearnley’s breakthrough is one of the best Challenger seasons in recent memory and he is having fun in the process.

‘Jake’ and his coach Juan Martin made an agreement that, whenever possible while travelling, they visit a different coffee shop every morning.

“We try to find the best coffee. That’s something we’re definitely making an effort to do. I love going to coffee shops, try to find new ones and that’s kind of what I do in my spare time,” said Fearnley, who ranked a coffee shop in Rennes, France as one of his favourites thus far.

“It changes the scenery, it gives you something to do in the morning before matches and I think it’s working well so far.”

What is undoubtedly working well is Fearnley’s game at the pro level. He has still only played six Challenger tournaments and he has lifted the trophy at four.

Highest win percentage in a Challenger season (min. 20 matches played)

The four-time ITA All-American reflects on the Wimbledon match against Djokovic as a pivotal point in his season. It was not only a fond memory, but also a teaching moment. Fearnley has since implemented specific tactics in his game based on what he saw from the 99-time tour-level titlist.

“That was a very cool experience and I learned a lot how to deal with the fans, deal with playing on a big court and also I learned a lot from Djokovic, the way he plays the game is incredible and he is the model for every tennis player,” Fearnley said.

“[I’m] taking things from what he was doing; his serve, his depth, his decision making. All that stuff is stuff that I still talk about today.”

Fearnley may have been a relatively unknown player in Wimbledon’s main draw, but ever since, he is putting the tennis world on notice with his fast rise.

Last October, Fearnley was World No. 1,893 in the PIF ATP Rankings. He is now at a career-high World No. 98.

“In terms of tennis, it’s been the best past 12 months I’ve ever had,” Fearnley said. “It’s been 12 months that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I’m super grateful to have the opportunity to play at this level and get to the ranking I’m at now.”

British No. 1 Jack Draper, who shares a close friendship with Fearnley, posted a picture on social media to celebrate Jake’s rise into the Top 100. The photo was of Draper and Fearnley as young kids at Wimbledon’s Centre Court. Draper wrote: “A great friend from young, but we went on our own paths. An amazing guy and incredible player. You deserve this!!! Only the beginning.”

So happy for Jacob Fearnely…. Top 100 !!! A great friend from young but we went on our own paths. An amazing guy and incredible player. You deserve this !!! Only the beginning ? pic.twitter.com/aXTbzRurYA